Pathogenicity of tick-derived lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus in BALB/c mice
Abstract Background Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is a zoonotic pathogen primarily transmitted by rodents. Recently, LCMV has been detected in ticks from northeastern China; however, the pathogenicity of this virus in murine models remains to be elucidated. Results Here, we examined the...
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2025-01-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-024-04451-8 |
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| author | Ziyan Liu Xiaojie Liang Liang Li Ning Liu Zedong Wang Feng Wei |
| author_facet | Ziyan Liu Xiaojie Liang Liang Li Ning Liu Zedong Wang Feng Wei |
| author_sort | Ziyan Liu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is a zoonotic pathogen primarily transmitted by rodents. Recently, LCMV has been detected in ticks from northeastern China; however, the pathogenicity of this virus in murine models remains to be elucidated. Results Here, we examined the tick-derived LCMV strain JX14 by inoculating BALB/c mice with 3.5 × 105 pfu of virus. The mice infected with LCMV displayed clinical manifestations including unkempt fur, anorexia, depression, and oliguria, which subsequently resolved by 10 days post infection (dpi) leading to survival of the infection. During the early phase of infection, low viral titers were detected in throat and anal swabs. The excreted virions demonstrated proliferation in Vero cells and were capable of inducing infection in mock-infected mice. Viral RNA was detected in the blood and organs, with detectable levels persisting for up to six months specifically in the heart. A total of 16 amino acid substitutions were identified in the L, Z, and GPC proteins between the original JX14 strain and the strain obtained after six months of infection in BALB/c mice. Pathological lesions were identified in most organs within 5 dpi except for the kidneys and testicles. Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) level was significantly elevated during the early stage of infection and returned to baseline levels within 10 days. Conclusions This study furnishes significant insights into the pathogenic traits of the tick-derived LCMV strain JX14, thereby potentially providing a valuable in vivo research model for examining the immunological responses elicited by chronic viral infections. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1746-6148 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| spelling | doaj-art-7e41d74dc736469c897fe555405cb6122025-01-12T12:28:02ZengBMCBMC Veterinary Research1746-61482025-01-012111910.1186/s12917-024-04451-8Pathogenicity of tick-derived lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus in BALB/c miceZiyan Liu0Xiaojie Liang1Liang Li2Ning Liu3Zedong Wang4Feng Wei5Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural UniversityLaboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural UniversityChangchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Center of Infectious Diseases and Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Zoonotic Diseases, The First Hospital of Jilin UniversityDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Center of Infectious Diseases and Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Zoonotic Diseases, The First Hospital of Jilin UniversityLaboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural UniversityAbstract Background Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is a zoonotic pathogen primarily transmitted by rodents. Recently, LCMV has been detected in ticks from northeastern China; however, the pathogenicity of this virus in murine models remains to be elucidated. Results Here, we examined the tick-derived LCMV strain JX14 by inoculating BALB/c mice with 3.5 × 105 pfu of virus. The mice infected with LCMV displayed clinical manifestations including unkempt fur, anorexia, depression, and oliguria, which subsequently resolved by 10 days post infection (dpi) leading to survival of the infection. During the early phase of infection, low viral titers were detected in throat and anal swabs. The excreted virions demonstrated proliferation in Vero cells and were capable of inducing infection in mock-infected mice. Viral RNA was detected in the blood and organs, with detectable levels persisting for up to six months specifically in the heart. A total of 16 amino acid substitutions were identified in the L, Z, and GPC proteins between the original JX14 strain and the strain obtained after six months of infection in BALB/c mice. Pathological lesions were identified in most organs within 5 dpi except for the kidneys and testicles. Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) level was significantly elevated during the early stage of infection and returned to baseline levels within 10 days. Conclusions This study furnishes significant insights into the pathogenic traits of the tick-derived LCMV strain JX14, thereby potentially providing a valuable in vivo research model for examining the immunological responses elicited by chronic viral infections.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-024-04451-8Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV)TicksPathogenicityBALB/c miceRodents |
| spellingShingle | Ziyan Liu Xiaojie Liang Liang Li Ning Liu Zedong Wang Feng Wei Pathogenicity of tick-derived lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus in BALB/c mice BMC Veterinary Research Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) Ticks Pathogenicity BALB/c mice Rodents |
| title | Pathogenicity of tick-derived lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus in BALB/c mice |
| title_full | Pathogenicity of tick-derived lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus in BALB/c mice |
| title_fullStr | Pathogenicity of tick-derived lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus in BALB/c mice |
| title_full_unstemmed | Pathogenicity of tick-derived lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus in BALB/c mice |
| title_short | Pathogenicity of tick-derived lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus in BALB/c mice |
| title_sort | pathogenicity of tick derived lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus in balb c mice |
| topic | Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) Ticks Pathogenicity BALB/c mice Rodents |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-024-04451-8 |
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